Defense finishes with bang

USC limits Wildcats to 70 yards after halftime

Sep. 30, 2012

Written by

LEXINGTON, KY. — South Carolina’s defense appeared a step slow in the first half, but upped its game in the final two quarters.

The team finished with 12 tackles for loss, including seven sacks. Leading the way was end Jadeveon Clowney, who had 2˝ tackles for loss. Spur DeVonte Holloman followed with two. Holloman also had a fourth-quarter interception.

“I think the first half we just came out sluggish,” said end Devin Taylor, who had 1˝ sacks. “They didn’t do anything we haven’t practiced. At halftime, our leaders stated that we controlled out own destiny for the second half and we just need to go and play our game and everything else would come.”

The Gamecocks held Kentucky to 70 yards in the second half and 243 for the game. Only one USC opponent has managed more than 300 yards this season.

• Marcus Lattimore will be a target of the Georgia defense. In two games against the Bulldogs he has rushed 64 times for 358 yards and three touchdowns.

• Sophomore Cory Robinson received his second straight start at left tackle. He was rewarded with the start because offensive line coach Shawn Elliott was impressed with his performance.

“I thought he deserved a second start,” said Elliott. “He played well and didn’t make a lot of mistakes.”

“Corey played just about the whole game,” said USC coach Steve Spurrier. “Coach Elliott, if they are playing decent, he leaves them in there. He played pretty well. The run-blocking was decent, could have been better at times.”

The move also allowed the team to move sophomore Mike Matulis to right tackle.

• Moore, a native of Bowling Green, Ky., started in his final collegiate game in his home state. He is the only player from the Blue Grass state on the Gamecocks’ roster.

• Kentucky has six players from the South Carolina on its roster. Included is former Byrnes High School standout Cartier Rice. Although listed as doubtful because of a bruised thigh, he started the game and made five tackles.